5.26.2010

When you are taking pictures and there is good light nearby, take advantage of it! Doorways are great for capturing a quick shot. As long as there is no direct sunlight coming through you will get nice lighting. Here's an example.

This first shot was taken inside the house, using just the pop-up on camera flash:

Not too bad, but look what happened when we moved about 15 feet, so that he was standing just inside the doorway.

Much better. The photo itself has better clarity, and his eyes really come alive with all the light that is reaching them. Try it yourself and see what you come up with! I'd love to see your results.

P.S. These photos are both straight out of camera, with only a sharpening filter run on each of them. Please pardon the dirty shirt. ;)

5.07.2010

My trip to Utah coincided perfectly with the birth of one of my dearest friend's son. Chelsea and I have been friends for longer than I can remember. We attended church together, and then ended up graduating from the same high school. We played, giggled (silently), cried (we have completely different crying styles) and grew up together. Chelsea always set a good example for me. She was (is) fun, pretty, popular and kind.

Just for fun, here's one from a girls' trip some of us took last June. It was to celebrate turning (shhhh) 30, but we've decided to make it an annual thing.

I can't express how surreal it was for me to edit these portraits. I have memories of Chelsea from when we were our kids' ages, and now here we are, doing the best we can to raise our own.

Chelsea, I am so glad to be able to still call you my friend after all of these years. Here's to many more. Love you!